London's 14 greatest buildings

Sophie Campbell, Telegraph Travel's London expert, presents her favourite buildings in the capital. Disagree with our selection? Email us at travelviews@telegraph.co.uk or tweet @TelegraphTravel.

--

1. Flamboyant practicality: Crossness Pumping Station

1865, Sir Joseph Bazalgette

One of two ‘cathedrals of sewage’ - that’s the polite version - that gave Victorian effluent a final push out into the Estuary. Its plain exterior hides a riot of colour and decorative jokes such as figs – then a constipation remedy - plus four beam engines with 52-ton flywheels.